Date of Award

12-2008

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Program

Urban Studies

Department

School of Urban Planning and Regional Studies

Major Professor

Nelson, Marla

Second Advisor

Gladstone, David

Third Advisor

Ehrenfeucht, Renia

Abstract

The decision to close and never reopen four public housing projects in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina was a highly contentious issue for people throughout the city and even the nation. This thesis investigates the tensions between those who supported and opposed public housing demolition by highlighting the work and history of two people on either side of the debate, Richard Baron and Bill Quigley. This study of contemporary housing policy draws on the history of public housing in America, and refers to Stacy Seicshnaydre.s assertion that public housing policy has been a consistent struggle between "Taking the Housing Now" and "Redevelopment as Blight Removal." This research posits that while this tension has been present, the current debate in New Orleans is more nuanced. In the end, the public housing redevelopment in New Orleans reflects a lack of commitment at the federal level to adequately house low-income people.

Rights

The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.

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